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All Bulgaria Sofia Alexander Nevsky Cathedral

Alexander Nevsky Cathedral

A striking symbol of the Bulgarian capital.

Sofia, Bulgaria

Added By
Tao Tao Holmes
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Alexander Nevsky Cathedral, Sofia   Dennis Jarvis
Alexander Nevsky Cathedral interior, Sofia   Dennis Jarvis
Alexander Nevsky Cathedral, Sofia, at night   Dennis Jarvis
Alexander Nevsky Cathedral interior, Sofia   Jorge Láscar
Alexander Nevsky Cathedral, Sofia   www.vacacionesbulgaria.com
Alexander Nevsky Cathedral, Sofia   Pudelek (Marcin Szala)
The moon shines over the left dome of St. Alexander Nevski Cathedral, which is the entrance to the crypt   NTripping
  lindybcn / Atlas Obscura User
  Collector of Experiences / Atlas Obscura User
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About

The St. Alexander Nevsky Cathedral, located at the heart of Bulgaria's capital city of Sofia, comprises a little bit of everywhere. The marble came from Munich, the metal was sourced Berlin and manufactured in Vienna, and the mosaics journeyed all the way from Venice.

Designed in the Neo-Byzantine style, the church can hold 10,000 people and is one of the largest Eastern Orthodox cathedrals in the world.

Looking up at the cathedral, you'll spot countless arches, wintergreen and gilded domes, ornate doors, stone carvings, murals, and mosaics. The majestic structure towers 148 feet at its highest point, and the temple's bell tower holds 12 bells that weigh a total of 23 tons. The bells can be heard within a nearly 10-mile radius. Inside, you can marvel at the royal thrones and grandiose pulpit, as well as the mosaic mural of Tsar Ferdinand and Queen Eleanor, all within a dazzling and cavernous interior.

The cathedral's construction began in 1882, but was not completed until 1912, and sanctified until 1924. Named for Russian prince Saint Alexander Nevsky (1221– 1263), the church was built to honor those who sacrificed their lives during the Russo-Turkish War of 1877-1878, which liberated Bulgaria from the Ottoman Empire.

There is also a museum in the basement, within the cathedral crypt, that contains a major collection of Orthodox icons and masterpieces.

Related Tags

Churches Religion Soviet History Sacred Spaces

Know Before You Go

The nearest subway station is Sofia University.

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Added By

taotaoholmes

Edited By

NTripping, anselmoportes, Collector of Experiences, lindybcn

  • NTripping
  • anselmoportes
  • Collector of Experiences
  • lindybcn

Published

July 27, 2016

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Sources
  • https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alexander_Nevsky_Cathedral,_Sofia
  • http://www.sofia-guide.com/attraction/alexander-nevsky-cathedral/
  • http://bulgariatravel.org/en/object/239/Hram_pametnik_Alexandyr_Nevski
  • https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4C13N8HuWaQ
Alexander Nevsky Cathedral
pl. Sveti Aleksandar Nevski
Sofia
Bulgaria
42.695833, 23.332956
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